COUNTY council plans to close care homes in Rossendale will be studied by the council's scrutiny and overview committee before a formal response is made.

Coun George Lee recommended to the corporate policy committee that the full report go to the committee so that it could be studied in detail and a considered response be given.

Council leader Coun John Holt expressed his concern about the way LCC has issued statements to the press before the consultation document had gone out to local authorities.

He said: "LCC has now admitted that the £14million it had said it needed was in fact £4million to bring the homes up to standard and £10million for refurbishments."